Rahul Dattaria

On April 12, 2021, my family and I discovered that our health was deteriorating. My father, mother, sister, they all were sick. Concerned about our well-being, my sister took the initiative to get tested for Covid-19, and unfortunately, her results came back positive. At that point, we assumed that all of us were infected as well, except for me. that time i was not infected So, I took it upon myself to assist my family by providing them with food and medicine.
We sought help from a local doctor who prescribed medication for all of us. We diligently followed the prescribed treatment. However, we were puzzled as to how the BMC ( Municipal Corporation) authorities obtained information about our family’s condition. They placed a banner in front of our gate, which made it difficult for anyone to come and cook for us during this challenging time. I became the sole caretaker for my family, as no other family members or friends were willing to visit due to fear.
Unfortunately, on the same night, I also started experiencing feverish symptoms. I decided to take the same medication that my family had been taking. However, during that night, I felt extremely weak and fainted in the washroom, resulting in a head injury. It took me a couple of minutes to regain consciousness and realize that I was alone in the washroom at 2:30 am. It was a wake-up call for me, as I understood the severity of the situation
The situation became even more challenging as no one was willing to come to our house due to the banner and the fear surrounding Covid-19. We felt helpless and isolated. However, after two days, some of our relatives and friends realized that if they didn’t step in to help, who would? They started leaving food, medicine, and fruits at our main gate, understanding that we were all positive and too weak to carry out our regular activities.

While the medication proved effective for my mother, it did not have the same impact on my sister, father, and me. My sister and father had to be hospitalized, and I visited a larger hospital for my own treatment. The doctor prescribed a medication called Febi flue and instructed me to take 18 pills daily. Despite following the prescribed treatment, my temperature continued to rise. Eventually, I had no choice but to be admitted to the hospital as well.
In the hospital, the doctor administered six antibody injections directly into my hand, along with a 15ml injection of ramdesivir daily for three days. This medication had a significant impact on my body, causing me to lose 18kg in just five days. The doctor informed me that this medicine would affect my lungs, kidneys, and intestines, resulting in swelling in my intestines. As a result, I could not eat anything and could only consume lemon and orange juice. It was a challenging and uncertain time for all of us in the hospital, as we were unaware of what was happening to each individual. Thankfully, my aunt stepped in and tirelessly ran between hospitals to provide medicine and food for all of us.

My condition was critical, and although the hospital I was admitted to had all the necessary amenities such as air conditioning, TV, fridge, and three meals a day, there was a shortage of oxygen. On the night of April 16th, at 10:30 PM, a WhatsApp message from the hospital informed my family to find another hospital due to the lack of oxygen. This news created a tense atmosphere in the hospital, with patients screaming and running around in panic. One patient even lost control and began hitting himself against a window bar. Nurses and doctors were desperately calling for security, and chaos ensued. The patient next to me closed his eyes and stopped responding, and although a ward boy came to attend to him, I couldn’t gather the courage to witness what happened. Instead, I moved to the other side of my bed, filled with fear and panic. My oxygen level was at 75, while the required level was 95, adding to my distress. I couldn’t help myself and started crying, believing that this could be the end for me, as the oxygen supply in the hospital had suddenly ceased. However, my oxygen machine started functioning again after my relatives and friends used their political influence to contact the hospital management and ensure that I received the necessary oxygen.
After that, I simply turned around and fell asleep. However, I was unaware of what had happened to the other patients and whether they received oxygen or not. I lacked the courage to inquire about their condition. Fortunately, my relatives and friends plus political influence kept me safe. It was on that day that I realized in this harsh world, money alone is not enough to survive; you have a good friends nice relatives and some friends who has political power.

The following morning, I woke up in a At 5 am, a trainee doctor diligently monitored my oxygen levels, blood pressure, and fever every half an hour for the next 48 hours. After 12 hours, she removed my oxygen.

Doctor underwent monitoring and was deemed stable and normal, leading to my discharge from the hospital. Coincidentally, I received news that both my sister and father were also discharged and are recovering well. Currently, I am in home quarantine for a duration of 18 days. As part of my daily routine, I need to take 14 pills of medication. However, my body remains weak, limiting my ability to talk and walk for more than 5 minutes. The administration of the ramdesivir injection has negatively impacted my overall strength, prolonging the recovery process. At present, my diet consists solely of juice and Dal. I consider this second chance at life as a gift from God, especially since the day I received oxygen. I am grateful to my relatives, friends who contacted the hospital on my behalf. I sincerely hope that everyone can be as fortunate as me. I am sharing this Article to emphasize the importance of taking extra care of oneself and their family, and to raise awareness about the harsh reality of COVID-19. I humbly request all of you to not underestimate the severity of this virus and to prioritize your well-being. Please, please take care of yourselves. #stay at home.

Furthermore, I must apologize for neglecting to include the exquisite image that graced the pages of this article. It is a bespoke greeting that I personally curated and shared with my esteemed circle of friends and beloved relatives, who displayed unwavering care and concern during my period of illness